Reconstructive surgery is a separate area used in plastic surgery. Their main tasks are to restore the appearance and functioning of the affected part of the body after negative external influences.
Basically, such an operation is carried out with severe damage. It helps to recreate the original natural form of the body and restore its functionality.
Operation Feature
Reconstructive surgery is performed for burns and accidents. It may include bone repair and skin grafting. In some cases, prostheses are used, which are made of artificial materials and are used to replace missing limbs, joints or teeth. Among the features of reconstructive operations, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- character;
- main reasons;
- participation of specialists in various fields.
When carrying out such an operation, the defect is removed, which not only has an unattractive appearance, but also interferes with the normal functioning of the organs. This category includes both birth defects and consequences:
- injuries
- burns;
- severe illnesses.
During the operation, not only the existing sutures, scar tissue are removed, but also microsurgery of the vessels and nerves is performed to normalize the functionality of the affected area.
Too much damage to any tissue leads to impaired functioning of the kidneys, heart, lungs. In this case, plastic surgery allows not only to restore the appearance, but also to prevent the occurrence of internal pathologies.
Another feature of reconstructive operations is the participation of specialists in various fields, in particular:
- otolaryngologists;
- orthopedists;
- gynecologists;
- Dentists
- ophthalmologists.
This is due to the fact that during such an intervention, it is necessary, first of all, to restore the functionality of the affected area.
Main indications
There are certain indications for reconstructive surgery, which include:
- deep burns;
- mechanical injuries;
- malignant neoplasms;
- consequences of surgery.
In women, the indication may be a complication in childbirth, which entailed the deformation of the perineum and uterus. These main traumatic factors, as well as violations, can provoke a partial or complete loss of performance. Motor and anatomical disorders adversely affect the functioning of internal organs.
With dangerous intense lesions, the liver, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs begin to suffer. A similar condition can be observed with various genetic abnormalities.
Disfiguration of the face significantly affects the quality of life of the affected person. That is why the main task of the surgeon is not only the return of lost functions, but also the restoration of the natural look.
Applied material
To fully restore the affected parts of the body and organs during reconstructive surgery, both artificial materials and biological tissues of the patient are used. The second method is considered the most preferable, since it significantly minimizes the risk of rejection. However, in some cases donor tissue cannot be used.
Artificial implants are used for:
- breast augmentation;
- nose restoration;
- zygomatic bone;
- jaw angles.
Such structures are made from neutral biological materials. The most popular of them are medical polyethylene, silicone, porous polytetrafluoroethylene. These materials do not provoke allergies and quite rarely they are rejected. As applied implants made of donor tissue, the following are used:
- muscle
- fatty;
- skin tissue;
- bone and cartilage material.
Often, the patient takes adipose tissue for reconstruction of the chest, face, limbs. Other types of donor materials are used in rare cases.
Types of operation
Among the main areas of reconstructive plastic surgery, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- face plastic and its varieties;
- mammoplasty (breast plastic surgery);
- abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) ;
- perineal plastic;
- thoracoplasty (combined version);
- limb plasty.
These operations are performed by plastic surgeons of various kinds. Modern reconstructive-plastic surgeries mean interventions that are different in type and degree of complexity. Microsurgical technique removes scars and restores the integrity of damaged vessels, muscles and nerves.
Traumatic injuries are repaired mainly by our own, donor tissues, biosynthetic polymeric materials. The latest techniques allow you to perform increasingly complex types of intervention.
By localization
Reconstructive plastic surgery is divided according to the area of intervention. In many ways, they coincide with the technologies of conventional plastic surgery, but they always imply the participation of specialists in the functioning of the operated organ.
Blepharoplasty implies a change in the section of the eyes and the size of the eyelids. During the reconstruction, the lost eyelid is partially or completely restored, which provokes incomplete closing of the eye.
During rhinoplasty, the nasal septum is corrected. Intervention is performed under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. Otoplasty involves correcting the position of the cartilage and building up the auricle. In the complete absence of an ear, an implant is used.
Correction of the jaw combines the plasticity of the lips, chin, neck. It implies an active collaboration with dentists. During the intervention, birth defects are corrected. Mammoplasty is the full or partial restoration of a mammary gland lost as a result of surgery or trauma. For this purpose, implants are almost always used. Vaginoplasty - reconstructive plastic surgery for uterine myoma, injuries of the vagina, labia. Phalloplasty - restoration or correction of the penis after surgery, injuries and the elimination of birth defects. In some cases, reconstructive vascular surgery may be required to restore the functioning of the urethra.
Abdominoplasty - removal of postoperative sutures, stretch marks, scars, burns in the abdomen. This intervention is combined with excision of fat and skin. Reconstructive operations on the spine are among the most complex. They are carried out only in case of irreversible damage. They are carried out in several stages and require a long, complex rehabilitation.
By direction of impact
All types of reconstructive operations are divided according to the direction of impact. Plastic surgery involves working with the skin, tendons, muscle and bone tissue, as well as mucous membranes. Correction of skin defects is used to eliminate scars, scars, postoperative sutures. This also includes the removal of benign tumors, deep pigmentation. It is preferable to use the tissue of the patient himself.
Tendon reconstruction is performed to restore fully or partially lost mobility. In severe injuries, it is replaced with artificial material. Correction of muscle tissue defects - recovery from underdevelopment or loss of performance as a result of injuries. The lack of tissue can be compensated by the introduction of fillers or implants.
Also, organs are restored, in particular, such as the finger, ears, and chest. For reconstruction, donor tissue is used. The most difficult operations are the correction of congenital pathologies.
Execution feature
Reconstructive surgery on bones, muscles and skin is much more complicated than conventional body parts correction. Accordingly, preparation for it takes much more time, and recovery is long and difficult. First you need to conduct an examination, as well as laboratory research and consultation with specialists. Reconstruction is always associated with structural changes that affect the functioning of organs.
If reconstructive surgery is performed on the joints, then the extraction of biological material is required or suitable artificial material is selected. In some cases, the implant can be customized. In the event of a skin, bone or cartilage transplant , the required material is prepared.
When everything is ready, the intervention itself is performed with the transplantation of biological material or implants. The period of adaptation of the transplanted tissue is a more important stage than the operation itself. The final result of the reconstruction depends on how well the tissue has taken root.
Then rehabilitation is required aimed at the full or partial restoration of the functioning of the damaged organ or part of the body. If reconstructive plastic surgery of the knee joint and other organs is performed, then a number of interventions are required. After each procedure, you need to make sure complete engraftment of tissues and restoration of organ functioning. Only after this is the next operation scheduled.
Preparation for the procedure
Preparation for plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery includes various methods and approaches. Most procedures include hospital stays and general anesthesia.
Initially, in preparation for surgery, the surgeon makes a detailed assessment of the parts of the patient's body that will be involved in the operation. Skin grafts require a careful assessment of the appropriate areas of the desired color and texture. Surgery in the eye area requires close attention to the placement of surgical incisions.
Before reconstructive operations, patients undergo blood and urine tests, as well as other tests to select a drug for anesthesia. A person should avoid taking “Aspirin” and drugs that contain this active substance for 1-2 weeks before the proposed operation. These medications increase blood clotting time. Be sure to quit smoking 2 weeks before surgery, since smoking interferes with the normal healing process.
Rehabilitation period
After reconstructive surgery on the foot, as well as other organs, a long rehabilitation period is required, which is performed strictly under the supervision of a doctor, since it is important to restore not only the appearance, but also the functionality of the affected area.
Subsequent medical care after surgery under general anesthesia includes the patient staying in the ward, monitoring vital signs, taking medications to relieve pain. People who have undergone reconstructive abdominoplasty can stay in the hospital for 2 weeks. Patients after mammoplasty or breast reconstruction , as well as some types of face surgery, are mainly in the hospital for a week.
Some people may require follow-up psychotherapy or psychologist counseling. This mainly applies to children affected by birth defects, as well as adults after injuries resulting from accidents.
Contraindications
Reconstructive plastic surgery is not an operation that is performed according to vital indications. However, most types of correction prevents the occurrence of pathologies of internal organs. These include reconstructive surgery on joints, bone and cartilage. That is why this type of intervention has much less contraindications and limitations than conventional plastic. The main contraindications include:
- severe heart disease;
- malignant neoplasms;
- bleeding disorder;
- severe diabetes;
- autoimmune disorders;
- severe damage to the kidneys and liver;
- pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding.
An operation almost always requires general anesthesia, which is why it is very important to establish the possibility of an intervention.
Possible risks
The risks associated with reconstructive surgery include various kinds of postoperative complications that can occur with any type of surgery under general anesthesia. These infections include various kinds of wound infections, pneumonia, internal bleeding, and a reaction to the anesthetic used.
In addition to the general risks, the likelihood of other complications, in particular, such as:
- scar tissue formation;
- constant soreness, swelling and redness in the area of the intervention;
- infection associated with the installation of the prosthesis;
- tissue rejection;
- anemia or embolism;
- loss of sensitivity in the area of the operation.
Normal results include a quick recovery of the patient after an intervention with good performance and no complications. Infection and mortality largely depend on the complexity of the procedures performed. Mortality is similar to other surgical procedures.
If the operation is performed by a qualified surgeon, then complications occur extremely rarely and do not significantly affect the result. Compliance with all the recommendations of the doctor at all stages reduces or eliminates the risk of pathologies and disorders.
Patient reviews after reconstruction
Reviews about reconstructive surgery are mostly positive, since using this technique, you can quickly return to its previous attractiveness, as well as the functioning of the affected organ. However, some say that the postoperative period is rather complicated and takes a lot of time. During recovery, some soreness may be observed, so painkillers should be taken.
Many patients say that with the help of reconstruction they were able to restore the previous shape of the nose and jaw after injuries and accidents. In addition, such a technique helps to eliminate existing congenital and acquired defects.
Such techniques can effectively cope with existing defects and pathologies.